Cobray 37mm Launcher

Cobray CM203 37mm Launcher

Early Model CM203 "IMP" mounted onto M16A1 - 37mm flare. The charging handle is a simple metal pin, later models would have a rubber sleeve placed over it (for cosmetic as well as safety purposes). The Trigger guard is simply a bent piece of sheet metal pinned at only one end.

Updated Model CM203 mounted onto the same M16A1 as before - 37mm flare. In the 1990s Cobray updated their CM203, adding a sturdier curved charging handle, and an M16 Style safety. Also the trigger guard is now screwed in at both ends and is thicker. Later models would have larger mounting blocks and some variants will have mounts designed to attach to RIS rails.

Cobray Co. (originally of Smyrna GA, but now currently of Westhope, ND) built many smooth bore 37mm Flare launchers that were smooth bore copies of the M203 grenade launcher back in the late 1980s (originally known as the M203 IMP). Versions were made by SWD (the predecessor of Cobray) and RPB, as well, but Cobray was the last, and most successful company, to sell the launchers. Throughout the 1990s, several improvements were made in the construction and cocking lever as well as shorter and longer length barrels.

The Cobray CM203 37mm flare launcher is not a grenade launcher. It fires distress flares from a 37mm smooth bore and cannot accept 40mm munitions. However, since it looks like an M203 grenade launcher it is commonly mistaken for one in films on this site. It was built for civilian use as an under slung flare launcher commonly mounted under M16/AR-15s variants and other rifles. It is preferred for most film use over a genuine M203 mainly because, unlike the M203, it is not considered a "Destructive Device" in the U.S. and not subject to NFA regulations.

The Cobray CM203 37mm flare launcher can be distinguished from the Colt M203 based on the following:

1. The M203 is a 40mm launcher capable of firing multiple purpose rounds, the CM203 is a 37mm launcher built specifically as a flare launcher for civilian use.

2. The CM203 has an M16 style safety switch (on later models), the M203 does not.

3. The CM203 lacks a second safety trigger in the front of the main trigger, which the M203 has.

4. The CM203 Flare launcher's trigger guard is more squared when compared to the M203.

5. The CM203 37mm had an external cocking lever on the side of the receiver, the M203 cocks on closure.

Late Model Cobray CM203, not attached to a rifle - 37mm flare

Late model Cobray CM203 37mm Flare launcher underslung on an AR-15 (A1 style receiver) with an early SP1 Three prong flash hider. Visible is the cocking lever on the side. Later models increased the size of the mounting block so that the launcher hung lower, farther away from the rifle barrel.

The Cobray CM203 37mm Launcher has been seen used by the following actors in the following Movies, Televison, Anime, and Videogames.

Film

• U.S. Army Rangers in Black Hawk Down (fitted on M16A2 rifles)

• A Recon Marine in Heartbreak Ridge (fitted on AR-15/SP1 rifle)

• Elwood (Ethan Suplee) in Without a Paddle (fitted on M16A1 rifle)

• Various Marines in Jarhead (fitted on M16A2 rifles)

• Marines in The Rock (fitted on M16(SP1) and M16A1 rifles)

• U.S. Soldiers in The Mist (fitted on M16A2/M4 rifles)

• Used by a Soldier in a battle at the beginning of Major Payne (fitted on an M16A1)

Television

• Stargate: SG1 (fitted to M16A2s and M4A1s)

• Stargate: Atlantis (fitted to M16A2s and M4A1s)

• Ultimate Force (fitted to various M16 and CAR-15 models)

• U.S. Rangers in Seven Days (fitted to M16A1) Season 1, Episode 15 "Daddy's Girl"

Video Games

• Seen in the "cut scene segment" of Command & Conquer: Red Alert

Cobray CM79LF 37mm Launcher

Cobray M79LF stand alone launcher - 37mm)

Cobray M79LF stand alone launcher (other side) - 37mm)

Also an stand alone 37mm launcher was sold with it's own pistol grip and folding stock. Since it resembled an updated version of the M79 grenade launcher it was 'unofficially' called the M79L or CM79 or CM79LF, despite the fact that most of Cobrays' receivers simply had the words "37mm launcher" stamped on them. Cobray had been through many ups and downs throughout the years, much of which was created by the unsure business environment brought on by politically motivated legislation.

Since a 37mm flare launcher cannot launch 40mm grenades, it was an uncontrolled item. However, politicians throughout several states have banned using the launcher in conjunction with AR15 rifles or added the launchers to items to be restricted, despite the fact that the devices only resemble destructive devices externally. Like many other items, the device's intimidating appearance prompted bans based solely on it's cosmetic details and not based on its function.

Also the stand alone CM79LF launcher has been shown as a alternative version of the M79 grenade launcher in such shows as Stargate: SG1.

Film

• Sheriff Keough (Brendan Gleeson) uses a custom long barreled version in Lake Placid

• Sheriff Riley (John Schneider) uses a customized version made to look like a rotary launcher in Lake Placid 2

• Martin (Paul S. Power) in The Rundown

• Preston Lennox (Michael Madsen) in Species

Television

• Aaron Douglas as Chief Tyrol is seen using this launcher in Battlestar Galactica, during the siege of Kobol.

• Richard Dean Andersen as Col. Jack O'Neill in Stargate: SG1 Season 5, Episode 4 (The Fifth Man) to shoot down a Goauld death glider.